Audi to launch new versions of Q3, A6 and Q7 to widen gap with Mercedes

In an effort to strengthen its presence in the luxury car space, Audi India is looking to launch improved versions of the Q3, A6 and Q7 models later this year.

"The Q3 and A6 would be launched during the second quarter (April-June) while the Q7 would be launched in the fourth quarter (October- December)," Twinkle Krishna, vice-president, operations, Audi Chennai, said.

This is being done in order to widen the gap with its closest competitor Mercedes Benz India.

Last year, Audi reported sales of 10,851 units in the country, a growth of more than 8% over 2013.

Mercedes Benz India reported annual sales of 10,201 units in 2014. It sold a total of 9,003 units in 2013.

The gap between the two luxury car markers is 650 units, and Audi is looking to embark on an experiential marketing campaign to bring in more customers into its fold.

"Under this, the experience would not be restricted to one test drive alone. Instead, customers can choose to test drive various models in the sedan and SUV (sports utility vehicles) on different days so that they would be fully able to understand all the product features across categories and models," Krishna said.

Audi to launch new versions of Q3, A6 and Q7 to widen gap with Mercedes

In addition, the company is also betting on the A3 sedan to be a potential growth driver in the future.

Audi to launch new versions of Q3, A6 and Q7 to widen gap with Mercedes

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Floyd Mayweather’s Car Collection is Going to Blow Your Freakin’ Mind!

Floyd Mayweather’s Car Collection is Going to Blow Your Freakin’ Mind!

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What are the benefits of finding a company for campervan hire Devon?

Are you planning on taking a trip to Devon? If so, you are bound to have an enjoyable experience. Devon is an area that attracts a wealth of people year on year. From relaxing weekend breaks to small adventure holidays with friends, Devon is ideal for it all. The county is situated in South-West England and is located on the coast, allowing you to benefit from stunning scenery and glistening beaches. Nonetheless, if you truly want to enhance your experience, you should consider campervan hire Devon. This will really increase the fun of your holiday and provide you with a unique experience. Keeping that in mind, read on to discover the benefits of hiring a campervan for your stay in Devon…

Save a significant amount of money

One of the main benefits associatedwith campervan hire is the fact that you will save a substantial amount of money. You will be able to have a fantastic holiday without spending a lot of cash. This is something that appeals to many people. After all, a lot of families had to give up their vacations because of the dreaded recession. Yet, a campervan holiday offers the ideal solution, as you have accommodation and transport in one.

Convenient

Convenience is another benefit you will gain. Most campervan hire companies will drop off your vehicle at a location to suit you. They will also pick it up from your desired location as well. This makes your life a lot easier, as you need not worry about how you are going to get to your accommodation.

Enjoy a real outdoor adventure

Devon is definitely a place for those who love the outdoors. Thus, a campervan matches this type of holiday perfectly. Whilst in your campervan you will definitely feel close to nature and the magic of what Devon has to offer.

Complete freedom

In addition to the points that have already been mentioned, one of the key advantages associated with campervan hire is the fact that you will have complete freedom to plan your holiday as you wish. You can explore Devon exactly as you want. Make as many stops as you like and go to whatever attraction you desire. You don’t have to worry about sticking to a specific itinerary, as you would if you want for a different option. After all, if you stayed in a hotel your day would have to be planned around the restaurant opening times to ensure you don’t miss out on the meals you have paid for.

Choice of campervans

A lot of people make the mistake of thinking a campervan holiday is limited. They envisage being crammed into a tiny campervan and having no room. However, this is definitely not the case. If you take a look online you will see that you have a wealth of different options to choose from. This ensures you find a campervan that fits in with your requirements and the size of your party. Moreover, there is a wealth of different features for you to choose from as well. This includes luxury amenities, such as a television.

When you consider all of the points that have been mentioned, it is not difficult to see why renting a camper van comes highly recommended if you are planning on spending a vacation in Devon. The only thing you need to do now is find the best campervan for you, so make sure you assess your options carefully. 

Author bio – Kristina Louis writes for an extremely popular campervan hire Devon based company. She also runs a blog whereby individuals post stories of their campervan experience.

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New Ford Everest to replace slow selling Endeavour in 2015

Endeavour facelift launch in 2-3 months; Next-generation Everest Concept displayed at Bangkok should make it to India next year

The Ford Endeavour has proved to be quite a dud in the Indian market. The SUV is outdated, based on a pick-up truck chassis and isn’t as comfortable as the other SUVs in this class. And it shows at the sales charts with just five Endeavours selling in February and two in January according to SIAM figures. We spoke to Ford and the company states that these are wholesale figures of the 2013 model. Once these 2013 models are sold, in the next 2-3 months, the 2014 Endeavour which receives a minor update will go on sale adds Ford India. The Everest will only come sometime in 2015. 

The 2014 Endeavour gets a revised front end that includes a flatter bonnet, smaller upper grille with horizontal chrome slats, a hexagonal lower grille that’s part of the front bumper and new fog lamp housings. This update will be the final one on the current generation car.

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New Tata Aria launched at Rs 9.95 lakh

In a bid to give the ageing Aria a shot in the arm, Tata Motors have updated the crossover with mechanical and cosmetic changes

The Tata Aria has had a difficult time in the Indian four-wheeler market ever since its launch. One of the major reasons for the crossovers downfall was its pricing, even though Tata revised the pricing of the car by launching two-wheel drive variants, the damage had been already done. This hasn’t stopped the Pune based carmaker from reviving the Aria’s fate as it silently launched an updated version of the Aria. The new Aria with updates in exterior, interior and engine has been priced between Rs Rs 9.95 lakh to 14.74 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Cosmetic changes on the new Aria include new projector headlamps, clear lens for the tail-lamps and side blinkers, decals on the side and black bezel surround for the headlamps only on the top-end variant.

The changes made to the car aren’t restricted to the exteriors, as the engineers have fiddled with the powerplant as well. Powering the new Aria is the same 2.2-litre, VariCor diesel mill but it has been tuned to pump out 150PS, which is a hike of 10PS over the previous motor. Torque rating stands at 320Nm and Tata claims the new Aria has an overall fuel efficiency figure of 15.5kmpl (ARAI figure). The interiors of the new Aria have been updated with a major focus being to improve the quality of the materials alongwith fit and finish. 

The new Aria features new seat upholstery, chrome accents on door handles, pillar mounted AC vents, a new NAVTEQ navigation system, a Harmon-Kardon audio system and Bluetooth connectivity. Other creature comforts on the new Aria include rain sensing headlamps and wipers, steering mounted audio controls, cruise control and chilled glove box. Tata have paid special attention to improve the new Aria’s safety and it has been loaded with six airbags, ESP, ABS, disc brakes on all-wheels and Traction Control System (TCS). The new updated Tata Aria will be offered in three variants- Pure 4X2, Pleasure 4X2 and Pride 4X4. The car will be available in new shades of pearl white, arctic silver and quartz black alongwith the existing maroon shade.

Variant and pricing (ex-showroom Delhi):

Tata Aria Pure 4×2 - Rs 9.95 lakh

Tata Aria Pleasure 4×2 - Rs12 lakh

Tata Aria Pride 4×4 - Rs 14.74 lakh

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New Bentley SUV teased

Bentley's long awaited SUV has finally been teased and will be launched in 2016.

 

Bentley’s long awaited SUV will be ready for production soon and will be launched in 2016. The traditional British automaker, known for its uber comfortable luxury cars and high powered and equally luxurious Grand Tourers will be stepping into the ultra competitive luxury SUV segment for the first time. Bentley, a part of the Volkswagen group, will have a whole host of parts to rummage around in for parts for their all-new car.

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Jaguar Land Rover inaugurates new outlet in Bhubaneshwar

The luxury carmaker, Jaguar Land Rover, has opened up a new dealership in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has inaugurated a new dealership, Lexus Motors, in Bhubaneshwar. The company thus announced its entry in the state of Odisha with the launch of this new car showroom.

 The new showroom is located at Pratapnagari, P.O, Bhanpur, NH5 Cuttack-Bhubaneshwar Road. This new outlet is a fully integrated 3S facility, designed to provide quality sales and after-sales services to JLR customers. An entire range of Jaguar and Land Rover products will also be showcased in this showroom. This new facility will also house a car workshop.

Rohit Suri, Vice-President, Jaguar Land Rover, India, says, “Jaguar Land Rover has strengthened its presence in India across tier 1 and tier 2 markets, through the introduction of products and launching service centres that have been very well received by our valuable customers. The inauguration of the Bhubaneshwar facility, our second showroom in Eastern India reflects our commitment to the market and raises the bar for customer experience.”

Jaguar Land Rover started its first outlet in the country back in June 2009. Ever since, the firm has fully operational sales and service centres in various cities such as Ahmedabad, Aurangabad, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Cuttack, Chennai, Delhi, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Kolkata, Kochi, Ludhiana, Mumbai and Pune. With the inauguration of this new showroom in Odisha, the British carmaker has now expanded its dealership network to 19 facilities pan- India.

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Ducati introduces wirelessly integrated airbag jackets

Ducati has unveiled the new Multistrada D-Air, which according to the Italian manufacturer is the first production bike in the world to feature a wirelessly integrated airbag jacket system

With an intention to take motorcycle safety to the next level, Ducati unveiled the Multistrada D-Air. According to the Italian two-wheeler manufacturer it is the first bikemaker in the world to introduce a production motorcycle with a wirelessly integrated airbag jacket system. The jacket has been developed with the expertise of world renowned riding gear manufacturer and Ducati. According to Italian bikemaker, the airbag is deployed wirelessly only when the intelligent passive safety system, which works in conjunction with sensors built into the Multistrada's existing electronics, feels if the crash is a genuine accident.  

All these calculation, data analysis and deployment of the airbag are done by the Multistrada D-Air system inside both the rider and the passenger’s jacket in just 45 milliseconds. The airbags help in cushioning the impact during a crash thereby increasing the probability of the rider or the passenger surviving the crash. This isn’t the first time a concept of a wireless airbag has been showcased by a two-wheeler manufacturer as BMW Motorrad had announced the same at last year’s EICMA Motor Show. But Ducati has been successful to pip its German rival in becoming the first manufacturer to introduce this technology to the masses. The Ducati Multistrada D-Air motorcycle will be available in European dealerships from May 2014 onwards.

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Honda City automatic vs Volkswagen Vento automatic: Comparison

The Honda City Petrol Automatic goes up against the Volkswagen Vento Automatic in a battle of the petrol automatics

 

Automatics are definitely catching on. With congested roads and insufferable traffic, automatic cars seem to be the answer for hassle free driving. And, the latest in the ever increasingly portfolio of automatic cars in India is the New Honda City AT. But to see how good it is, we have the Volkswagen Vento TSI for comparison - both good cars; both with modern, refined and fuel efficient drivetrains; but only one winner.

Efficient automatics, meanwhile, is a recent occurrence. Going back in time, the older generation automatic transmissions were a far cry from the new-age auto boxes, which struggled to cut a niche in India. This, of course, was also because the technology back then wasn’t up to the mark. Most old-school automatic gearboxes were slow and cumbersome; these guzzled fuel; were inefficient; and as a result were expensive to run compared to manuals. The only reason why anyone thought of buying an automatic car back then was because of their inability to let go of the clutch pedal, correctly.

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Scary Close Call Will Make You Move from Your Chair

Brazilian college student and motorcycle driver Renan Ribas together with his cousin, who was riding at the back, are extremely lucky to be alive after a Volkswagen Polo that had just made a dangerous and foolish pass slid out of control on the BR-280 highway in São Francisco do Sul, this past Saturday, clipping the bike before crashing into another vehicle.

You can actually hear the sound of the German sedan touching the motorcycle in the footage sourced from the rider's helmet camera.

"I was testing the camera for the first time and just taking everything in," Ribas told Brazilian media. "[The] car came in the opposite direction, bumped into me and hit the car behind," he said.

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Mercedes CLA 45 AMG Hits the 400PS Mark, Courtesy of Brabus

For most people, the Mercedes CLA 45 AMG has plenty of power and sporty enough looks. Not for Brabus, though, as the German aftermarket specialist has released a styling kit for the most powerful CLA model.

Brabus’ styling package features subtle upgrades including black alloy wheels with red inserts, matching carbon fiber mirror caps, as well as rear decklid and roof spoilers. Red trim matching the exterior accents are visible on the inside.

For those unhappy with the CLA 45 AMG’s 355 horsepower (360PS), Brabus offers the PowerXtra B45 software upgrade for the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that increases output to 394 hp (400PS). Torque is also boosted from 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) to 500 Nm (369 lb-ft).

With its newly found power, the CLA sprints from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 4.2 seconds – 0.2 seconds faster than the standard Mercedes CLA 45 AMG.

The performance upgrade is also available for the Mercedes A 45 AMG. The Brabus PowerXtra CGI B45 consists of an additional control unit which is adapted to the engine management. It gets connected to the standard engine harness by the delivered plug & play wiring harness.

By Dan Mihalascu

PHOTO GALLERY

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Alfa Romeo 4C Coupé Will Be Available with Spider Headlights

Good news for Alfa Romeo 4C fans who are not delighted at all with the coupe’s controversial headlamps. Since the Geneva debut of the 4C Spider, many enthusiasts have been wondering whether the Italian carmaker will offer the more conventional lights from the drop-top model on the 4C coupe as well.

The answer is yes: Alfa Romeo customers will be able to spec the new clamshell headlights for the 4C coupe, as the new units will be offered as an option. “The Spider will only be offered with its standard lights, however”, an Alfa spokesperson told Autocar.

In the near future, buyers of the Alfa 4C coupe will be able to pick from two headlight designs: the standard ones currently offered and those from the Spider.

Alfa Romeo didn’t say anything about the price of the Spider headlights or whether they will be a no-cost option on the coupe.

By Dan Mihalascu

PHOTO GALLERY

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Next-Gen Audi R8 Spied Again on the 'Ring

It must be a rather mind-numbing job working at Audi's design division in recent years, especially if your assignment orbits around replacing or updating existing models and not conceptual or completely new projects.

Of course, some will like Audi's way of implementing incremental styling changes (think TT Mk3), others will be indifferent and some will reject this process and look elsewhere for their automotive needs.

Fact is, the second-generation R8 supercar will maintain the look, feel and shape of the current car, modernizing some details and making others look more menacing, like the slimmer headlamp and grille assembly.

One area where the R8 might tear up the manual is the interior, where Audi's designers seem to have more freedom for creativity. Our spies have yet to snatch a stationary R8 prototype, but when they do, we expect to find a large display in the driver's instrument cluster, much like the new TT, which should bring a more futuristic air to the car.

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Volvo V60 Labeled as a Lifestyle Wagon by Consumer Reports

The Volvo V60 Wagon looks very different from traditional boxy Volvo wagons, and Consumer Reports’ Tom Mutchler believes that’s a good thing from a styling point of view. However, when it comes to practicality, the V60 doesn’t live up to its predecessors. That’s why Consumer Reports see the V60 more as a lifestyle wagon.

However, what it lacks in practicality, the V60 makes up in handling, as it’s surprisingly good for a wagon in this respect. That’s because it’s based on the S60 sedan, from which it also sources the 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine derived Volvo’s new DRIVe family. Producing 240 horsepower, the unit is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.

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